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About Eugene weekly. (Eugene, Oregon) 1993-current | View Entire Issue (March 26, 2009)
THE SPRING PLANTING GUIDE 2009 greens. Water generously; dry soil and heat encourage bolting. Soil/Sun: Rich, well-drained soil. Sensitive to acidic soils; pH 6.5-7.5. Full to partial sun. Suggested Varieties: Olympia, Bloomsdale, Tyee, Skookum. apart, April-July. Thin to 6-12 inches. Harvest leaves throughout the season to encourage new growth. Soil/Sun: Loose, fertile, well-drained soil, pH 6.0-7.0. Full sun to partial shade. Suggested Varieties: Rhubarb, Fordhook Giant, Bright Lights. SUMMER SQUASH, ZUCCHINI TOMATOES Cultivation: Plant seeds or transplants May 15-June Cultivation: Plant transplants May-June. Space deter- 15. Sow seeds 1/2-1 inch deep in hills, 4-5 seeds per hill. Space hills 3-4 feet; thin seedlings to 2 per hill. Requires consistent watering for good fruit set. Black plastic mulch speeds growth. Seeds will rot in cold, wet ground. Soil/Sun: Loose, fertile, well-drained soil, pH 5.8-6.8, full sun. Suggested Varieties: Squash: Yellow Crookneck, Sunburst, Butterstick. Zucchini: Gold Rush, Spacemiser. minate varieties 18-24 inches; space indeterminate vari- eties 20-30 inches. Place transplants with the lower leaf set just above soil level. Tomatoes should be staked or supported by a trellis. Soil/Sun: Fertile, well-drained soil with full sun. Clays and loams produce higher yields, but loose soil warms faster and provides an earlier harvest. Prefers pH 6.0-6.8 but will tolerate acidic soils. Suggested Varieties: Early: Oregon Spring, Willamette VF, Medford, Big Beef, Early Cascade. Sauce: Oregon Star, Principe Borghese. Cherry: Gold Nugget, Sun Gold, Isis Candy. WINTER SQUASH Cultivation: Sow seeds 1/2-1 inch deep in hills, 4-5 seeds per hill, May 15-June 15. Space hills 4-6 feet; thin seedlings to 2 per hill. Soil/Sun: Loose, fertile, well-drained soil, pH 5.8-6.8, full sun. Suggested Varieties: Gold Nugget, Acorn, Zenith Butternut, Waltham Butternut, Spaghetti. SWISS CHARD TURNIPS Cultivation: Sow seeds 1/4-1/2 inch deep, 1 inch apart, April-September. Thin to 4-6 inches. Flavor best if har- vested during cool weather. Soil/Sun: Fertile, loose, well-drained soil, pH 6.0-7.5. Full sun to partial shade. Suggested Varieties: Purple Top White Globe, Scarlet Ball, Shogoin (greens). Safer Products. Safer for the Enviromnment Cultivation: Sow seeds 1/2-1 inch deep, 2-6 inches ORNAMENTAL GARDENING GUIDE March Weed and mulch between plants. Plant trees and shrubs. Prepare new areas for planting. Divide and plant perennials. Pull weeds before they flower and set seed. Fertilize just about everything unless you did it in February. Prune spring-flowering shrubs as blossoms fade. Protect new growth of bulbs and perennials from slugs. June Begin regular feeding of container plants. Prune rhododendrons and azaleas. Control aphids with water and insecticidal soap. Watch for cutworms and hand-pick! Stake summer-blooming perennials. Cut back those that have bloomed. Continue mulching. 2825 Willamette 342-5191 Mon-Sat: 8:30-5:30 | Sun: 10-5 mvDB July April Start new lawns. Watch for local plant sales. Plant perennials, gladiolus and hardy annuals. Feed bulbs while they are green and growing. Continue pruning spring-flowering shrubs. Shear ivy and heather. Cut old leaves off sword ferns. Trim lavender and sage after new growth begins. Check irrigation systems. Watering lawns is not essential but it helps dis- courage weeds. Prune broad-leafed evergreens. Watch for cutworms. Hand-pick or use BT. Shorten new growth on espaliered apples and pears. Deadhead early perennials. Stake tall perennials before they flop. Replenish mulches to hold moisture. May August Water annuals liberally, in flower beds or pots. Dead-head perennials, roses. Remove diseased leaves from roses, rose beds. Groom and feed container plants regularly. Replant tired containers. Order spring-flowering bulbs. Remember to moisten compost piles. Plant dahlias and other tender bulbs. Plant perennials, annuals and container plants. Remove dead flowers from young rhodies. Water rhododendrons and bulbs liberally. Start aphid control — flush with water, spray insecticidal soap. Control slugs. VEGETABLE PLANTING GUIDE May After May 15 (frost free date for our area) you can sow squash and beans and plant out seed- lings of tomato and pepper (protect from 40 degree nights! Cool temps can stunt plants). Hold off on planting basil till June 1! There’s still time to plant onion and shallot sets. You can still sow peas and parsley through May. Water garden if rainfall drops below an inch a week. Plant carrots (seed) and celery (transplants). Plant basil and other annual herb starts. Apply organic mulches while ground is moist. July Net blueberries if you want fruit! Prepare soil freed up by early vegetable crops; you can still sow lettuce, carrots, beans and chard. Plant broccoli and Brussels sprouts for fall harvest. Yes, we have money to lend! Let SELCO Community Credit Union go to work on your next loan. • Finance your next new or used vehicle • Home equity loans for repairs and remodels • Finance energy-efficient upgrades • Home loans–purchase or refinance • Many other types of loans! August June Continue sowing squash and beans. Sow lettuce, mustard greens, turnips and spinach. selco.org 541-686-8000 / Toll free 800-445-4483 Several locations in Eugene and Springfield Doak Creek Native Plant Nursery Open your account today! We’ll get you set up in no time. Locations in Albany, Bend, Eugene, Florence, Redmond, Salem, and Springfield. Create new landscapes & gardens this spring with our great selection of native plants We offer design services & consulting 484-9206 By Appt. Federally Insured by the NCUA Solutions See SELCO for details. 83331 JACKSON MARLOW RD. • EUGENE www.doakcreeknursery.com BLOGS.EUGENEWEEKLY.COM • WWW.EUGENEWEEKLY.COM EUGENE WEEKLY MARCH 26, 2009 21
